Knife.



C, R1 KEERN.

KNIFE. I

MPL10/111011 min AP11.15, 1916.

Patentfe July 24, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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CHARLES E. KEERAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KNIFE.

Application filed .April 15, 191.

To @ZZ Iifi/2,0m -zt may concern lle it .known that I, Cuantas R. Keenan, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and @tate of Illinois, have invented certain neiv and useful lmproii'ements in Knives, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to l-inives of the type ivherein the bladesl are pivoted to the haft, and concerned particularly with means for opening up the blades.

Knives such as those ordinarily carried in the pocket are usually provided With a spring which bears againstthc tang of each blade to hold the blade in open or closed position. Such a knife is opened by inserting the thumb nail into a groove formed in the edge of the blade, and then grasping the blace with. the lingers to complete the opening movement, Great ditliculty is often encountered in opening' a blade in this manner, due to the fact that the thun'ib nail alone must start the blade against the tension of the spring. It is a primary object r of my invention to provide a knife, ivherein there are means for starting the blade Without the use of thc thumb nail. Other objects of my invention include the provision ol' opening means for each blade located within the haft, which are simple and reliable in operation and inexpensive of construction; means which operate Without undue friction; means which sustain each blade after boing started, in partially open position, against the tension of the spring; and means which are automatically reset when the blade is closed. These and other objects of my invention will more clearly hereinafter appear from the specification and clailns and from the accompanying d ra Wings in which Figure 1 a side elevation of a simple form of pocket knife, the blades of Which are i'irovidcd with self-opening means of the present invention g Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, enlarged, of the bladeopening means, one end only of a single blade being exhibited;

Fig. 3 is a vieiv similar to Fig. 2, showing the blade in started or partially open posi* tion;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the blade at a point of rest before being fully opened;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the blade fully opened;

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2st, 1917.

Serial No. 91,385.

Fig. 6 is a vieiv similar to Fig. 2, showing the blade partially closed and the Wedge member reset to its normal position; and

Figs. 7 and S are transverse sections through the knife taken on lines 7-7 and 8 8, respectively, of Fig. Q.

l have illustrated in the drawings a simple form of knife comprising a haft 9, the 'ialls 10 of which are secured in place by pins or studs 11 in the ordinary manner. @ne or more blades 12 are pivotally secured to the haft, a spring 13 being also provided to hold each blade in closed or open position. The present invention may be employed with various kinds of knives, such, for example, as those in which scales are secured to linings formed upon the haft. It may also be applied to knives equipped ivith one or more blades at either end of the haft. For these reasons the description to follow Will deal with but one blade; for a plurality of blades the operative parts of my invention will merely be duplicated.. The terms init/ard7 and outward, as used hereinafter, will be understood to designate directions relatively toward and from the center of the knife.

The blade of the present invention is formed with a tang 14e reduced at its extremity 15, and provided with a hole through which a pin 16 is passed te pivotally mount the blade Within the haft. The end face 17 of the tang extremity may be flattened, if desired, to provide a resting surface for the blade when it is opened up substantially half ivay, as shown in Fig. t. `When the blade is closed there ivill be a bearing upon a hump 18 which projects from the face 19 of the tang at its extremity, the hump being situated outwardly of the pivotal center of the blade to normally hold it closed.

rllhe spring 13 near its extremity is provided as shown in the several figures of the drawing, with a transverse slot 2() having end Walls 21 and 22. lWithin the slot 20 is located a roller Z3 of less diameter than the Width of the slot, and. arranged to roll thereacross. The roller bears against the vsprhig 13 on one side, and against a Wedge member 2li on the other side. This Wedge member consists of a head 25 arranged to move Within a second slot 26 formed at the extremity of the spring, the inner end 27 of the head being arranged to not pass beyond the extremity of the spring; a neck 28 formed with inclined shoulders 29 and 30 on its upper face, and with a shoulder 31 on its lower face, which limits the outward movement of the wedge member when in en-k gagement with the rollerk and an acting end 32 beveled at a suitable angle to provide a cam surface which engages with and rides upon a sleeve roller 33 loosely mounty rig. e. f

lll/'hen the blade is closed the hump 18 normally rests upon the inclined shoulder 29, as appears in Fig. 2, the hump and shoulder affording the principal point of engagement between the wedge member and the blade. The pressure of the spring is exerted through the roller y23 against the wedge member which in turn engages with the blade at the pointof the hump 18 lo cated outwardly of the pivotal center yof the blade, thus causing the blade to be normally held tightly in closed position.

The operation of starting the blade will be clearly understood by reference to the several figures of the drawing. yTo open the blade, pressure first is applied to the head 25 which normally protrudes slightly ybeyond the end of the haft, to impart an inward driving movement to the` wedge member. As the inner end 27 of the head is arranged to always lie slightly forward of the extremity of the spring, as shown in Fig. 2, no extraneous particles can easily enter intor the slot QG to obstruct the inward movement of thefwedge member. For the rplished by its ysliding over the roller. The roller is important chiefly inthat it aids in 1 starting more easilyr themovement of the wedge member. kl find it unnecessary on this account to extend the slot 2O further than merely to provide for the limited rolling action of the roller as described. The inward movement of the wedge member will also cause the cam surface 32 to ride upon` the sleeve roller 33, so that the wedge member ywill engage with the tang of the blade at a point situated a considerabley distance from its pivotal mounting. This wedge action is entirely suliicient to overcome the pressure of the spring communicated through the narrow neck portion of the wedge member to the hump 18, ata point relatively close to the pivotal center ofthe blade. The blade accordingly will be opened to the distance that the wedge member forces it. The tendency for the blade to close under the pressure exerted by the spring against the hump at the extremity of the tang when the kblade is in the position of Fig. 3 is resisted by the friction between the wedge member and the tang which tends yto prevent the wedge member from sliding back off of the sleeve roller 33 to normal position, so that the blade is prevented from closing when once started in the manner described. Having started the blade, the in gers can readily seize the blade to open it fully.

The position of the wedge member will remain unchanged during the further opening movement of the blade. As appears from Fig. 4, the hump 18 is required to ride up rupon the inclined shoulder of the wedge member, thereby depressing the spring in order that the blade may be swung through an arc of 900 or more. ln completely open position, the parts will be related in the manner shown in Fig. 5. It will be observed in this position that the pressure exerted by the spring is communicated to the extremity of the blade tang in such a way as to insure the maintenance of the blade in open posi-,

tion.

In the present knife it is important that the wedge-member should be automatically reset when the blade is closed. rlhis is accomplished in the following manner: lVhen the blade is moved from the position of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 6, the portion of the tang extremity in engagement with the wedge member will be moved outwardly, thus tending by friction to move the'wedge member in the same direction until it has reached the normal position shown in Figs. 2 and G. In any other than normal position the wedge member will be resting upon both the roller and the sleeve roller 33, in rconsequei'lce of which the return movement' of the wedge member is greatly facilitated. For these reasons the closing of the bladewill automatr cally cause a simultaneous retraction of the wedge member to normal position. This re traction, moreover, will be completed in a very short space of time, being aided by the pressureof the spring and the two rollers upon which the wedge member' rides. lt is thus apparent that when the blade lis completely closed to the'position shown in Fig. 2, the wedge member will have been reset to its normal position where it is available for again starting the blade 'in the manner previ ously described.

f the blade is started to the position shown in Fig. 3, and is not further opened, the wedge member may be reset by forcibly closing the blade. Under such circumstances the beveled acting end of the wedge member will cause the wedge member to be rearwar'dly moved, and be reset in the "position shown in FigZQ. lThis is obviously a desirable end, as dtherwise theresetting `of the wedge member Could be aeedmpl'ished only by opening the blade to a substantially half way position and then closing the same.

From the foregoing deseription, as well as from the 'several figures of the drawing, it will be seen that the blade opening means are located within the haftwliere they are secure p against damage or displacement. The parts utilized fr opening the blade oecupy but little spatie. They are both simple and reliable in operation, and may be manufactured at small expense.

I claim: l

1,. A. knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang and longitudinally movable within the haft, and means for forcing' the wedge member against the blade to partially open the same when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially as described. Y 2. A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivetal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudi nally movable within the haft, and means eo- `ope ating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, there being a hump upon the tang in engagement with the wedge member for normally holding the blade closed, substantially as described.

3, A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, apivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft,

a spring within the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, anti-friction `members between the wedge member and the spring, one of said anti-frietion members eooperating with the wedge member to partially open the blade when thewedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially as described.

4l. A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft. a spring within the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, the inner end of the wedge member being beveled, an antifriction member in engagement with the beveled end of the wedge member and arranged to coperate therewith when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft to partially open the blade, substantially as described.

5. A knife embodying, in combination, a

haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, the spring having a slot arranged transversely thereof, a roller within the slot arranged to travel there within, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft and arranged to ride upon the roller, and means eoperating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially as described.

G, A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, the 'spring havinga slot arranged transversely thereof, a roller within the slot arranged to travel thereacross, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, and arranged to ride upon the roller, a shoi'llder upon the wedge member arranged to engage with the roller to limit the outward movement of the wedge member, and means coperating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge member moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially as described.

A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting 'for the blade tang within thehaft, a spring .within the haft, the end of the spring being' eut away to.` provide a wall within the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, a head upon the wedge member arranged to engage with the spring wall within the haft to limit the inward movement of the wedge member, and means eoplerating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially as described.

8. A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, 4a pivotal mounting for the blade tang withinthe haft, a spring within'the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, an anti-friction member between the wedge member and the spring, said anti-friction member coperating with the wedge member to limit the movement of the latter in one direction, and other means eoperating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially as described.

9. A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, kmeans cooperating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge *member is moved longitudinally within the haft, and other means cooperating with the wedge member rfor preventing retraction thereofy when the blade is opened, substantially as described. n Y

10. A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a. spring within the halt, the spring being provided with the slot extending there across, a roller arranged to travel across the slot, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable upon'the roller withinfthe slot, the inner end of the wedge member being beveled, a sleeve roller in proximity to the beveled end of the wedge member arranged to raise the inner end thereof when the wedge member is ymoved within the haft, whereby the blade is partially opened, a hump upon the outer end of 'the tang, a shoulder upon the wedge member engaged by the hump, the hump and shoulder ycooperating kto prevent return movement of the wedge member when the blade is partially opened, substantially as described.

11. A knife embodying, in combination, a

haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, 'a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, a head upon the wedge member normally projecting beyond the end of the haft, a neckfadjacent the head formed ,with an `inclined shoulder, a hump on they tang extremity arranged to ride upon the shoulder'when thek ywedge member is moved within the haft, and means cooperating with the wedge member for partially opening the blade when the wedge member is moved within the haft, substan-y tially as described. i

' l2. A kniie embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the haft, the extremity of the spring being cut away to provide a clearance therein, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the haft, a head upon the wedge member normally projecting beyond the haft, and arranged to move within the clearance of the spring extremity when the wedge member is advanced into the haft, and means for limiting the outward movement of the wedge member, substantially as described.

13. A knife embodying, in combination, a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the hait, a spring within the haft, the extremity of the spring being eut away to provide a clearance therein, a wedge member between the spring and tang longitudinally movable within the hai-t, the wedge membery being provided with a head portion which *non mally projects beyond the haft, and arranged to move within the clearance of the spring extremity when the wedge member is advanced into the hait, and means for limiting the movement of the wedge mem,- ber outwardly of the hatt to permit the head to emerge but partially from the hait, substantially as described la. A knife embodying, in combination,

a haft, a blade provided with a tang, a

pivotal mounting for the blade tang within the haft, a spring within the halt, a wedge member between the spring and and longitudinally movable within the haft, the

wedge membery being arranged to forcibly engage with they tanffto partially open the blade when the wedge member is moved longitudinally within the haft, substantially y CHARLES R. KEERAN. Witnesses:

EPHRAIM BANNING, FRANCES M. Fnosr.

Gepes of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner el Patents, Washington, D. G.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent'No. 1,234,345, granted July 24, 1917, upon the application of Charles R. Keeran, of Choaugo, Illinois, for an irnprovement in Knives, an error appears in the printed specification requiring Correction as follows: Page 4, lineyQO, claim 15for the Word pivoted read pivotal; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Oftice.

Signed and sealecl this 14th day of August, A. D., 1917.

[SEAL] i R. F. WHITEHEAD,

` Acting Commissioner ofPatents, Cl. 30--l0. 

